Jackson Police Commander Tyree Jones has been suspended without pay for racial and religious slurs as well as comments regarding the female anatomy made on his social media page.
JPD Chief Lee Vance said he became aware of the comments after reading the initial story on The Clarion-Ledger’s website Monday. Vance said he immediately began an investigation once he saw the posts. The investigation concluded Wednesday with Jones’ suspension.
“We don’t condone racial bigotry or insensitivity toward females,” Vance said.
Jones said the posts in question were posted when he did not have identifying information on the Twitter account. He had deactivated it for a few years, and had only recently reactivated it in order to follow news and current events.
“When that incident occurred, I was not identified as a police officer on Twitter, I was just an anonymous person,” he said.
“I accept my role and responsibility for what occurred, but I look forward to putting this behind me,” he said. “I love this city, I love Jackson and its citizens, and I look forward to coming back to work and serving the citizens. That’s what I love to do.”
Jones said he could not disclose the terms of his suspension except to say he was suspended without pay.
“It’s a hard lesson that has been learned and it will never happen again,” he said.
In 2006, Jones and two other officers were accused of striking an 18-year-old suspect who was in custody after a standoff and foot pursuit. The incident was caught on video taken from WLBT’s helicopter.
Earlier In 2006, Jones was charged with simple assault by threat in a dispute at a Ridgeland restaurant and bar. In that incident, Jones and two other JPD officers, all off duty, allegedly scuffled with on-duty Ridgeland police officers after an argument with a waitress over a bar tab.
Jones was convicted of simple assault, but appealed the case and the conviction was later overturned.
[“source-clarionledger.com”]
